Mai Vang Awards honour talented artists

HCM City (VNA) - Ten talented artists in different fields of movie, music and theatre were honoured at the annual Mai Vang (Golden Ochna) Awards ceremony at the HCM City Opera House on January 22.

Launched in 1991, the awards, voted by Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper readers, recognise artists who make contributions to the nation's cultural and arts activities.

This year, the organiser received more than 370,000 votes for all categories, including favourite movie, theatrical play and TV programme.

The readers voted Yeu (Love) as Favourite Movie. The film, directed by choreographer Viet Max, tells a story of a songstress and her childhood girl friend, who discover that they have unknown feelings for each other.

The movie stars actress Chi Pu and tomboy singer Gil Le. It earned nearly 12 billion VND (545,000 USD) in three days after the film began screening to the public.

Director Viet Max said, "It is my first movie. It is my and the film staff's honour when our film received a warm welcome from the audiences."

Actor Binh Minh, who was one of the event's co-hosts, and actress Nha Phuong won Favourite Actor and Actress.

Twenty-five-year-old Phuong, who played the leading role in Vietnamese-Korean TV series Tuoi Thanh Xuan (Forever Young), said when receiving the prize: "I appreciate the love from readers who voted for me, as well as the trust of the film producer who believed and gave me the leading role."

The cai luong (reformed theatre) play Nua Doi Huong Phan (The Flavour), a famous production by scriptwriters Hai Trieu and Hoa Phuong, received the award for Favourite Theatrical Play.

Last January, it was restaged in a new version 58 years after its premiere, featuring veteran actors Thanh Sang, Ut Bach Lan, Minh Vuong and Le Thuy.

The Golden Ochna trophies for Favourite Theatrical Actor and Actress were given to comic actor Truong Giang and actress Le Khanh. Giang received the title of Favourite Comic Actor as well.

The Vietnam television comedy show On Gioi, Cau Day Roi (Thank God You're Here) was voted for Favourite TV Programme.

Tran Thanh, the host of Thu Thach Cung Buoc Nhay, the Vietnamese version of the US's reality dance show So You Think You Can Dance, brought home the prize for Favourite TV Host.

The Golden Ochna Awards for Favourite Folk Music Performer was given to young singer Hoai Lam, while the Favourite Revolutionary Music Performer award was granted to Meritorious Artist Thanh Thuy.

"My second Golden Ochna Award reflects the love of audiences for patriotic music," said Thuy, who has a 21-year singing career. "I and my peers are working to promote patriotic music to more and more listeners, especially youngsters."

As usual, after the award presentation, the organiser will hold a free concert titled Mai Vang Chao Xuan (Golden Ochna Welcomes Spring) for 30,000 workers at the Pou Yuen Company in Tan Binh district on January 29.

The event will feature the award winners and several famous singers and artists.-VNA